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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2016/aug/04/london-stabbing-russell-square-knife-attack-live
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| Russell Square knife attack: suspect in custody after hospital treatment – live | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 10.53am BST | |
| 10:53 | |
| Ellie Cattle, 21, who is staying in a hotel on Bedford Place, off Russell Square, told the Press Association she heard police shouting: “Put it down, put it down.” | |
| I looked out of my window because I heard sirens. I could see police - three police vans - coming down the road, and all I heard was them shouting ‘Put it down, put it down’. | |
| They sounded urgent for him to put it down. Then I heard what sounded like a gunshot, but it must have been the Taser. After that they just stopped shouting. I didn’t hear any screams from anyone. | |
| 10.47am BST | |
| 10:47 | |
| Lisa O'Carroll | |
| Alex Hall, 18, (on the right in video) said he and his friends came out of a restaurant in Russell Square and saw police trying to resuscitate a woman. | |
| We were walking along and we saw three police cars and an ambulance. They were doing CPR on a woman lying on the ground. We thought it must have been someone having a heart attack. The police were shouting at people to get back. | |
| The others in the video are Reuben St Ledger, 18, (middle) and George Baker, 18. All are from Sheffield. | |
| St Ledger said they had seen the Metropolitan Police announcement that there would be an increased armed police presence in London before they visited and were not deterred. | |
| 10.30am BST | |
| 10:30 | |
| Lisa O'Carroll | |
| Spanish tourists Anna Calderon (right) and Laura Gomez (centre) said they saw one of the victims, a blonde woman in her 20s or 30s, running northwards up Southampton Row. Gomez said: | |
| We saw a woman with her hand holding her side. She was running and shouting ‘I need a hospital. I need a hospital.’ A man who looked like he was in his 60s and a woman stopped a taxi and helped her. We had just said goodbye to a friend who lives here in London and we saw this. | |
| We didn’t understand what was going on because there was no blood. It was about 10.35pm. | |
| Calderon said: | |
| When we got to the hotel we heard the sound of ambulances. But we didn’t know anything until we saw what had happened this morning on the TV. | |
| The women, from Madrid, said the attack did not deter them from coming to London. | |
| Calderon said: | |
| Scared? No, because I think it is an incident that could happen anywhere and we live in Madrid and we had the terrorist attack on the train so we know what the risks are. | |
| 10.26am BST | |
| 10:26 | |
| Damien Gayle | |
| There are three vans full of police outside Marylebone station. They don’t seem to be doing anything, just sitting there. One told me: | |
| It’s because of what happened last night. We’re not expecting anything bad to happen, these are literally just reassurance patrols. | |
| Asked if they were waiting to go out on patrol or whether they were just going to sit in the van, he answered: “Just waiting for now.” | |
| 10.18am BST | 10.18am BST |
| 10:18 | 10:18 |
| Nadia Khomami | Nadia Khomami |
| The two hotels that overlook the street where the incident occurred, the Imperial and the President, do not have CCTV cameras that face onto the square. A porter at the imperial said their CCTV cameras look inwards and they have informed police. | The two hotels that overlook the street where the incident occurred, the Imperial and the President, do not have CCTV cameras that face onto the square. A porter at the imperial said their CCTV cameras look inwards and they have informed police. |
| One guest at the President, Michel Godbout, who has been visiting London from Canada, said: | One guest at the President, Michel Godbout, who has been visiting London from Canada, said: |
| About 10.30pm, I was in my room and I heard a woman screaming - a couple of times in one minute, then I didn’t hear anything. I was almost asleep, I heard police after that but didn’t look out the window. My view is blocked by trees. I only found out what happened this morning when I turned on the TV, if I had known I would have gone out to help or something. | About 10.30pm, I was in my room and I heard a woman screaming - a couple of times in one minute, then I didn’t hear anything. I was almost asleep, I heard police after that but didn’t look out the window. My view is blocked by trees. I only found out what happened this morning when I turned on the TV, if I had known I would have gone out to help or something. |
| 10.17am BST | 10.17am BST |
| 10:17 | 10:17 |
| Denis Campbell | Denis Campbell |
| Responding to the police’s statement that mental illness was a factor in the stabbings, Professor Sir Simon Wessely, the leading psychiatrist and president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said that killings by people with psychiatric problems had been falling for the last 30 years. | Responding to the police’s statement that mental illness was a factor in the stabbings, Professor Sir Simon Wessely, the leading psychiatrist and president of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, said that killings by people with psychiatric problems had been falling for the last 30 years. |
| But, Wessely added, much more needs to be done to help “alienated, disturbed, troubled” adolescents and young people with mental health problems, some of whom are at risk of committing violence. However, he cautioned against any attempt to increase the number of people detained due to psychiatric problems. He said: | But, Wessely added, much more needs to be done to help “alienated, disturbed, troubled” adolescents and young people with mental health problems, some of whom are at risk of committing violence. However, he cautioned against any attempt to increase the number of people detained due to psychiatric problems. He said: |
| We should be very careful about looking for new compulsory powers to lock people up. We already have a very carefully thought-through Mental Health Act, which allows certain people to be detained and compulsorily treatment, in certain circumstances, for mental illness. But neither radicalism nor terrorism is a mental health diagnosis or disorder under the meaning of the Act. | We should be very careful about looking for new compulsory powers to lock people up. We already have a very carefully thought-through Mental Health Act, which allows certain people to be detained and compulsorily treatment, in certain circumstances, for mental illness. But neither radicalism nor terrorism is a mental health diagnosis or disorder under the meaning of the Act. |
| We should be improving services for alienated and mentally troubled adolescents and young people, to help their mental health. But we should be careful not to do things that will increase their alienation, which can then make them more not less vulnerable to radical influences. | We should be improving services for alienated and mentally troubled adolescents and young people, to help their mental health. But we should be careful not to do things that will increase their alienation, which can then make them more not less vulnerable to radical influences. |
| He added that these are people who are hard to reach and that mental health services for young people were “woefully underfunded”. | He added that these are people who are hard to reach and that mental health services for young people were “woefully underfunded”. |
| The leader of Britain’s psychiatrists said that he was talking about “extremely alienated adolescents and young adults, who do have an increased prevalence of mental health problems. Some have psychosis, or forms of autism, or depression or complex relationship difficulties. But all of those are quite common anyway.” | The leader of Britain’s psychiatrists said that he was talking about “extremely alienated adolescents and young adults, who do have an increased prevalence of mental health problems. Some have psychosis, or forms of autism, or depression or complex relationship difficulties. But all of those are quite common anyway.” |
| The link between mental illness and violence is an extremely sensitive subject. | The link between mental illness and violence is an extremely sensitive subject. |
| We know that some people, so called ‘lone actors’, do commit awful crimes, for example in school killings in America and the killings in Norway. There’s a link with mental illness, that’s true. Looking back at the history of people who have committed offences like this does show increased risk [that the assailant had psychiatric problems], that’s true. These offences are quite rare, thank God. But there is definitely an increased risk. | We know that some people, so called ‘lone actors’, do commit awful crimes, for example in school killings in America and the killings in Norway. There’s a link with mental illness, that’s true. Looking back at the history of people who have committed offences like this does show increased risk [that the assailant had psychiatric problems], that’s true. These offences are quite rare, thank God. But there is definitely an increased risk. |
| 10.06am BST | 10.06am BST |
| 10:06 | 10:06 |
| Nadia Khomami | Nadia Khomami |
| Fernando, a Brazilian Londoner, who works nearby, said he was cycling home through Russell Square last night when a Spanish family asked him to stop and call the police and ambulance because a lady had collapsed. | Fernando, a Brazilian Londoner, who works nearby, said he was cycling home through Russell Square last night when a Spanish family asked him to stop and call the police and ambulance because a lady had collapsed. |
| There were three people stabbed. The older woman was slumping against the gates, and it was another two people. One of the Spanish family was comforting the older woman. | There were three people stabbed. The older woman was slumping against the gates, and it was another two people. One of the Spanish family was comforting the older woman. |
| I thought they were friends, but then I realised that they were just passing. No-one knew each other. | I thought they were friends, but then I realised that they were just passing. No-one knew each other. |
| He said the two injured people were a man aged around 40 to 50 and a lady aged around 30. | He said the two injured people were a man aged around 40 to 50 and a lady aged around 30. |
| When the police arrived a few minutes later, he realised the lady had not collapsed, she had been stabbed in the back and had been bleeding. | When the police arrived a few minutes later, he realised the lady had not collapsed, she had been stabbed in the back and had been bleeding. |
| The Spanish family - a mother father and two daughters - told Fernando that a young man ran past in black shorts and a white T-shirt hiding his face with his arm and just began stabbing people with his right hand. It was a very random and quick attack. | The Spanish family - a mother father and two daughters - told Fernando that a young man ran past in black shorts and a white T-shirt hiding his face with his arm and just began stabbing people with his right hand. It was a very random and quick attack. |
| The moment the police arrived, they asked them if the man had been shouting. | The moment the police arrived, they asked them if the man had been shouting. |
| They said that he didn’t say anything. They said that when he stabbed the people he didn’t shout or scream anything. | They said that he didn’t say anything. They said that when he stabbed the people he didn’t shout or scream anything. |
| The family believed the attacker he was on his own. | The family believed the attacker he was on his own. |
| 9.38am BST | 9.38am BST |
| 09:38 | 09:38 |
| There are a number of hotels in and around Russell Square and the Evening Standard has spoken to some of their staff about what they heard or saw. | There are a number of hotels in and around Russell Square and the Evening Standard has spoken to some of their staff about what they heard or saw. |
| Manuel Simo, 32, a supervisor at the Royal National hotel in Bedford Way, said: | Manuel Simo, 32, a supervisor at the Royal National hotel in Bedford Way, said: |
| At first, people were confused and thought it was a traffic accident. | At first, people were confused and thought it was a traffic accident. |
| When they realised what was happening people were screaming and running away from a guy who was holding a knife. | When they realised what was happening people were screaming and running away from a guy who was holding a knife. |
| Apparently he was just stabbing people randomly – it’s horrible. People ran away in the direction of the British Museum. | Apparently he was just stabbing people randomly – it’s horrible. People ran away in the direction of the British Museum. |
| People are scared to go out in the street. They don’t want to go to the shop to buy water or food. It’s very sad. | People are scared to go out in the street. They don’t want to go to the shop to buy water or food. It’s very sad. |
| A night porter at the Grange Clarendon hotel told the Standard | A night porter at the Grange Clarendon hotel told the Standard |
| I could see four police officers restraining him, holding him face-down on the floor. | I could see four police officers restraining him, holding him face-down on the floor. |
| He wasn’t struggling I think he knew it was over. One police officer was about to get his handcuffs on him and was speaking into his ear. | He wasn’t struggling I think he knew it was over. One police officer was about to get his handcuffs on him and was speaking into his ear. |
| Others were searching the street for something he threw. | Others were searching the street for something he threw. |
| 9.27am BST | 9.27am BST |
| 09:27 | 09:27 |
| Jamie Grierson | Jamie Grierson |
| Scotland Yard has removed any reference to terrorism in its latest update in what is a small but potentially significant change. | Scotland Yard has removed any reference to terrorism in its latest update in what is a small but potentially significant change. |
| In the original release assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said: | In the original release assistant commissioner Mark Rowley said: |
| Early indications suggest mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry. But of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a motivation remains but one line of inquiry for us to explore. | Early indications suggest mental health is a significant factor in this case and that is one major line of inquiry. But of course at this stage we should keep an open mind regarding motive and consequently terrorism as a motivation remains but one line of inquiry for us to explore. |
| In the most recent update, Rowley says: | In the most recent update, Rowley says: |
| Early indications suggest that mental health was a factor in this horrific attack. However we are keeping an open mind regarding the motive. | Early indications suggest that mental health was a factor in this horrific attack. However we are keeping an open mind regarding the motive. |
| The change suggests Scotland Yard are more confident that mental health was the driving factor behind the attack. | The change suggests Scotland Yard are more confident that mental health was the driving factor behind the attack. |
| 9.10am BST | 9.10am BST |
| 09:10 | 09:10 |
| The Met Police have also released some more details of their response to the incident: | The Met Police have also released some more details of their response to the incident: |
| Police received the first call just after 10.30pm reporting a man armed with a knife was assaulting people at Russell Square, Camden. | Police received the first call just after 10.30pm reporting a man armed with a knife was assaulting people at Russell Square, Camden. |
| Numerous other calls were made by members of the public between 10.30pm and 11pm with reports of a man attacking people with a knife between Russell Square, Montague Street, Bloomsbury Square and Great Russell Street. | Numerous other calls were made by members of the public between 10.30pm and 11pm with reports of a man attacking people with a knife between Russell Square, Montague Street, Bloomsbury Square and Great Russell Street. |
| Armed officers attended the scene within approximately five minutes of receiving the first call. | Armed officers attended the scene within approximately five minutes of receiving the first call. |
| 9.03am BST | 9.03am BST |
| 09:03 | 09:03 |
| Suspect out of hospital | Suspect out of hospital |
| The 19-year-old suspect has been discharged from hospital - he was Tasered during the incident -and is now in custody at a south London police station, the Met police have said. | The 19-year-old suspect has been discharged from hospital - he was Tasered during the incident -and is now in custody at a south London police station, the Met police have said. |
| He has also been formally arrested on suspicion of murder. | He has also been formally arrested on suspicion of murder. |
| A Met police spokesman said: | A Met police spokesman said: |
| We continue to focus our lines of inquiry on mental health while retaining an open mind regarding the motive. | We continue to focus our lines of inquiry on mental health while retaining an open mind regarding the motive. |
| 8.51am BST | 8.51am BST |
| 08:51 | 08:51 |
| Damien Gayle | Damien Gayle |
| These two police officers carrying semi-automatic carbines were keeping guard outside the National Gallery, in Trafalgar Square, in central London. | These two police officers carrying semi-automatic carbines were keeping guard outside the National Gallery, in Trafalgar Square, in central London. |
| “We deal with everything from having strong words with someone to lethal force,” one said. | “We deal with everything from having strong words with someone to lethal force,” one said. |
| There will be many armed police around central London, they said. Policing will focus on crowded areas with a lot of footfall where an attacker could do most damage. | There will be many armed police around central London, they said. Policing will focus on crowded areas with a lot of footfall where an attacker could do most damage. |
| Aside from the guns strapped to their chest, both officers also carried Glock pistols, Taser stun guns, CS spray and batons. | Aside from the guns strapped to their chest, both officers also carried Glock pistols, Taser stun guns, CS spray and batons. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.18am BST | at 9.18am BST |